Looks from Harris Tapper’s Pre Fall 2019 collection. Beck Wadworth from An Organised Life and fashion blogger (right). Images supplied.
Contemporary womenswear label Harris Tapper released their first full collection recently with designers Sarah Harris Gould and Lauren Tapper thrilled with the progression of their brand. Three seasons ago the label began with clever shirts but has evolved into a full 30 piece range full of trans-seasonal pieces that was created with the modern career woman in mind.
Back in 2019 Sarah and Lauren identified a gap in the market for elegant shirts that had a focus on tailoring, quality fabrics and clever detailing. Their debut collection garnered a positive reception and Harris Tapper has grown a loyal customer base and strong support from retailers to stock their pieces.
“When we started Harris Tapper, our aim was to provide beautifully cut, high-quality shirting that can be worn year round – this first full collection is simply an expansion of that, it’s never going to be overly trend driven, we are committed to designing beautiful wardrobes for women that work with their lifestyles,” says Sarah Harris Gould.
The brand’s latest collection is for the pre-fall season and is inspired by friends of the designers whom Sarah and Lauren admire for ‘career drive, creativity and ability to make clothing their own’. The designers believe that the Harris Tapper woman embodies worldliness and independence which comes through in their intelligent approach to design.
“She is globally aware, respected in her field, intelligent, refined and independent. Day to day she is understated – opting for crisp shirting and tailoring that is functional but considered,” says Lauren Tapper. “We want women who wear our clothes to feel powerful, refined and armed to take on whatever challenges come their way.”
The range itself features easy cotton shirting complemented with matching loose slacks, tailored wide leg pants, skirts and wrap style blazers. Each piece is designed with consideration of the multi-faceted and fast-paced lives of modern women and the need for versatility and ease of dressing. Harris Tapper’s pieces can be dressed up with heels for more formal offices or teamed with sneakers for creative outings or weekends.
Among the key pieces is a gorgeous floor length maxi dress, the Long Dress, which is perfect for evening occasions. Its chic, minimalist style makes it appealing to many different women and its floor sweeping hem adds the right amount of drama. The sophisticated Gather top and dress offer fluid evening options that are versatile and easy to wear. While the Bell Top in shimmering silver lamé is an eye-catching piece in a winsome shape. .
To showcase the collection Harris Tapper worked with Lauren Hare from H are Interiors, Beck Wadworth from An Organised Life and fashion blogger and Hawke’s Bay based Parlour Projects gallery owner and curator, Sophie Wallace. Each woman wears her favourite pieces from the new Pre-fall collection in their work spaces; Lauren at her office and studio, a traditional Herne Bay villa, Beck in her home office in Parnell where she splits her time with her office in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and Sophie at her gallery space at the recent Auckland Art Fair amongst artworks by emerging talents Emma Fitts and Matt Arbuckle.
“Although we have a strong global outlook, many women we admire are right here in New Zealand. Lauren is a successful, award-winning interior designer with her own thriving business as well as a mum of two, her style is so reflective of her own work, she always looks great.”
“Beck Wadworth is a busy entrepreneur and fashion blogger, her look is monochromatic yet she’s great at turning it up for events with really directional pieces. Sophie spends her days stimulated by incredible artistic talents so her approach to work dressing is relaxed, yet she always looks chic. We love that these women are nailing it and doing it stylishly. Being self employed means there’s no real 9 – 5, it’s an always-on kind of lifestyle, and we hope Harris Tapper caters to that,” says Sarah Harris Gould, Co-Director, Harris Tapper.
Harris Tapper’s Pre-Fall collection is available at selected stockists and online now.
Hawke’s Bay based Parlour Projects gallery owner and curator, Sophie Wallace (left).
Lauren Hare, from Hare Interiors (right).
Images supplied.